Variable-drive mechanism.



S. B. GRAY, DECD. B. s. GRAY, nxEcUToR.

VARIABLE DRIVE MEGHANISM. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1s, 190e. RENBWBD APR.ze, 1909.

4Patented June 22, 1909.

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S. B. GRAY, DECD.

Patented June 22, 1909.

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S. B. GRAY, DEGD.

B. s. GRAY, PxEcUToR.

VARIABLE DRIVE MECHANISM.

APPLICATION MLPD SEPT. 1a, 190e. BPNBWHD APB. ze, 1909.

Patented June 22. 1909.

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S. B. GRAY, DEGD.

B. S. GRAY, EXIIOUTOB.

VARIABLE DRIVE MBGHANISM.

APPLICATION IILED SEPT. 13, 1906. BENBWED APB. 28, 1909.

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NTE STATE FENT lElFltfDE.

STEPHEN GRAY, OF JACKSONVlLLE, lLLlN 01S; BARTLETT S. GRAY EXECUTOR Ol"SAID STEPHEN l5. GRAY, DEOEASED.

VARIAB LE -DRIVE ME CHANISM.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented June 22, 1909.

Application led September 13, 1906, Serial No. 334,383. Renewed April26, 1909. Serial No. 492,314.

To all 'whom it may concern:

Be it known that l, STEPHEN B. GRAY, a resident of Jacksonville, in thecounty of Morgan and State of Illinois, have invented certain new anduseful improvements in Variable-Drive Mechanism, of which the followingis a full, clear, and exact description.

The invention relates to variable drive mechanism.

The invention designs to provide an improved construction for a variablepulley embodying a screw-adjustment for the rimsections.

The invention further designs to provide improved variabledrive-mechanism comprising a pair of pulleys having screw-adjustedrim-sections and means for simultaneously adjusting the pulleys fordifferent speeds. The invention also designs to provide an adjustablepulley of improved construction and variable drive-mechanism of improvedconstruction.

The invention consists in the several novel features hereinafter setforth and more particularly defined by claims at the conclusion hereof.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a horizontal section taken through thecenters of the pulleys of avariable speed-mechanism, embodying theinvention. Fig. 2 is a central vertical section taken on line 2-2 ofFig. 1 Fig. 3 is a side elevation. Fig. t is a section on line 1 -1 ofFig. 1. Fig. 5 is a cross-section on line 5-5 of Fig. 3.

Variable speed-mechanism of the type herein involved usually comprises apair of adjustable pulleys connected together by a belt. The mechanismshown comprises pulleys A and A of like construction, connected to bedriven, one from the other, by a belt D. The pulleys may be mounted upona frame C of any suitable construction.

The body of the improved pulley comprises hubs 10, one at each side ofthe pulley, each having a hollow spindle 11 secured thereto. Apulley-side 12 is secured to each hub as at 13 and a drum 111 has itsends secured to the pulley-sides respectively as at 15 to secure thehubs and sides together. Rimsections 16 are each adjustably connected tothe body of the pulley by a screw or screwthreaded rod 17 which has itsouter end journaled in a bracket 18 and its inner end in a lug 19,integrally formed with one of the pulley-sides. Screws 17 are radiallydisposed and extend through correspondingly screw-threaded openings inthe rim-sections and thereby the sections may be adjusted radially andpositively when the screws are turned. Each of the screw-rods 17 hassecured to its inner end within drum 111 a beveled pinion 21.

Simultaneous and equidistant rotation of all of the screws 17 isnecessary in adjusting the rim-sections. Screws 17 of each series aresimultaneously rotated by a gearrlng 22, having teeth 2S which mesh withpinions 2l which are secured to the inner ends of the screws. Thisgear-ring is revoluble with respect to the wheel, is mounted in thewheel-drum 1-1 and is held against lateral displacement by lugs 211.Gear-rings 22 for the pulley-sides respectively are simultaneouslyrotated with respect to the wheel by a gear-mechanism comprising agear-wheel 25 mounted on a shaft 26 which is j ournaled in bearings 27secured to the drum 14. At either side of gear 25 is mounted a pinion 2Swith which it intermeshes. Each pinion 28 is mounted on a shaft 29journaled in bearings 30 and 31 fixed in the drum and is secured todrive a beveled pinion 32 which meshes with a series of teeth 33 formedon the inner face of one of the gear-rings 22. Rotation of gear-wheel 25will, by means of pinions 28 and' 32, cause the gear-rings 22 to berotated with respect to the wheel and resultantly operate all of thepinions 21 of the wheel to simultaneously and equidistantly rotate allof the screws 17 which will effect equidistant and simultaneous shiftsof the rim-sections, in either direction, according to the direction inwhich the gear 25 is rotated. V

In variable drive-mechanism embodying a connected pair of pulleys, thesize of the rims thereof are increased and decreased respectively andsimultaneously. The mechanism for simultaneously operating thegeartrains of the pulleys whereby the size of one will be increased andthe size of the other correspondingly decreased, comprises an endlesschain D operatively connected to a sprocket-wheel 35 in each of thepulleys and which are connected to rotate wheels 25 of the gear-trainsfor the adjusting mechanisms. The chain D consists of a series of links86 having enlarged ends 37 fitting into socket-links Se), the links ot'the chain being so formed as to permit the revolution ot one link withrespect to another, z'. e., to torni a series of links connected byswivel or universal joint to permit a portion thereoiC to rotate whileanother portion of the chain is stationary. rllhe purpose ot theuniversal joint chain is to permit those portions of the chain which areheld in sprocket-wheels 35 to revolve with the pulleys while thelongitudinally extending portions of the chain are stationary. rlhechain extends through hollow spindles ll in each ot which an oil-pocketor recess -l-l is formed and extends at one side through a tubular guideor casing' l() and trom the spindle of one et the pulleys to and throughtne spindle ot the other pulley. The other side of the chain extendstroni the hollow spindle ll ot one ot the pulleys through a stationaryguide or housing in which is arranged a sprocketwheel t3 around aportion of which the chain extends so the chain can be shiftedlongitudinally in its guides to rotate sprocketwhcels to operate thegear-trains in the pulleys to adjust the rim-sections of the pulleys.Chain-guide l() is also stationary and the portions of the chain inengagement with sprocket-wheels 35 are held in engagement with the teethof said wheels in the wheel-drum lt by curved guides etat. Chainguidesl() and l2 are usually formed of sections litting' together to inclosethe chain and sprocket-wheel d3. Several sectional links 38 may beprovided tor convenience in lapplying the chain. Sprocket-wheel Llf3 forshitting the chain to adjust the pulleys is secured to a shaft t6mounted in bearings l? and t8 which may be connected to theI A handatethe shaft l5 from some other point, a`

sprocket-wheel 50 may be provided which may be connected in any suitablemanner to a lever or handle at any desired point.

To compensate for the diilerences in the straight reach of belt when thepulleys are set in ditlerent positions, and tovtake up any slack in thebelt, an idler-pulley 5l is provided which serves to keep the belt tautat all times. idler 5l is connected to a shaft 'which is journaled inbearings 53, secured to supporting-bars 5l which are pivotally sustainedas at `When the pulley-rims are substantially the same in diameter, thestraight portion Vot the reach ot the beltis somewhat less than when thepulley-rims are materially dilierent in size and for the purpose ofcompensating for this difference or variation, a vdifferential pressuremechanism is provided for the idler or tightener.

rlhis mechanism comprises a lever 56 pivotet. as at 57 to the trame,having its tree end connected to one end of the idler-supporting lever5l by a spring 5S which is adapted to take up any variation in the beltlength and to keep the belt taut. Said mechanism also comprises a collar60 connected by screw-thread 6l to the controller-shaft 46. Collar 60 isconnected by a link 62 to an aim 63 which is connected to a rock-shaft64; having' arms 65, one at each side of the traine, provided withrollers 66 at their lower vends which are adapted to engage cams 67roneof which is secured to each of the levers 56. Canis 67 are shaped toallow lever 56 to be positioned so that the idler 5l will be held byspring 5S in proper relation with respect to the belt withoutsubstantial variation ot' the pressure of the idler against the belt. lnother words, this mechanism provides a tension-device for the idlerwhich is adjustable to compensate for the various positions of the beltand its diferent positions as the pulleys are adjusted.' Collar 60 beingconnected to the controller-shaft which operates the mechanism foradjusting the pulleys, is simultaneously adjusted to shift arms so thecams 6T will allow the idler and tension-device to be simultaneouslyadjusted in accordance with the adjustment ot the pulleys.

rllhe operation of the improved mechanism will be as follows: Assumingone of the pulleys to be driven trom any suitable source, and the belt Bheld in operative relation with both pulleys it will transmit power tromone pulley to the other, the pulleys with their adjustable rim-sectionsand the gear-mechanism in each pulley revolving therewith. Thoseportions of the adjusting-chain D which extend around thesprocket-wheels in the pulley, will revolve with the wheel and sprocketthe universal joints between the links of the chain permitting suchrevolution of such portions of the chain while the otherl portions otthe chain remain stationary. idler 5l being held in engagement with thebelt B by the springs 58 ot the tension-device will keep the belt tautand compensate tor any slight wear or stretch vof the belt or variationin belt length as the pulleys are adjusted. lVhen the speed of thedriven pulley is to be varied, the operator will turn controller-shaft-l6 to which sprocket-wheel is secured, and such rotation will shift theadjusting-chain D longitudinally and elliect simultaneous rotation ofthe sprockets 35 in the pulleys about shafts 26 and operate thegear-trains for the adjustable rim-sections. Gear-wheels 25 will rotatethe oppositely disposed pinions 29, 32, to rotate Vthe gear-rings 22with respect to the pulley. These gear-rings will turn the pinions 21 towhich the radial screw-rods 17 are secured and eilect equid-istant andsimultaneous shift of the riin-sectioiis 1G which are adj iistablysustained thereby. rl`he gear-mechanisms ot' the pulleys and the adjusting-chain respectively are connected to operate the screwsha'fts inopposite directions, i'. e., when the chain is adjusted to rotate thescrew-rod 1T of one pulley to shift the rim-sections thereoi inwardly,the 0ear-mechanism oit' the other pulley operates the screw-shafts ofthe latter in opposite direct-ion to correspondingly shiit therim-sections thereof in opposite direction and resultantly as the sizeot' one pulley is increased and other is coirespondingly decreased. Thisadjustment can be eitected while the mechanism is in operation.Simultaneously with the adjustment of the pulleys by controller-rod 46,screw-threaded collar 60 on said shaft is shifted longitudinally toadjust arm 65 to allow the levers 5G and idler 5l to adjust themselvesaccording to the position of that portion ot' the belt with which theidler engages, e. g., assuming that the pulleys are adjusted to beoperated at substantially the same speed, the idler adjusting devicewill be in position indicated in Fig. 3 of the drawings. Itl thecontrolling mechanism is operated to adjust the pulleys so they will bematerially ditl'erent in size the straight reaches of the belt will belonger and the arms 65 will be shifted into such relation with respectto cam 57 that arms 56 will move upwardly or yield to allow the idler 5lto maintain the belt under the desired tension. rIhus it will be seenthat by adjustment of the controller, the screw-rods for both of thepulleys will both be simultaneously operated to adjust the riin-sectionsand vary the relative size ot the pulleys and the idler will besimultaneously adjusted.

The invention provides an improved pulley embodying a series ofsimultaneously and screw adjusted rim-sections. A screw adjustment ispreferable over other forms because the rims can be adjusted withaccuracy and because it is not necessary to provide a pulley with anylaterally adjusting elements against which strain is exerted when thebelt exerts pressure on the rim. The invention also provides screwoperated adjustingmechanism :t'or the pulley which can be operated whilethe pulley is revolving. The invention further provides an improvedvariable drive-mechanism embodying pulleys having screw-operatedadjListing-mechanism and means for simultaneously adjusting bothpulleys, and furthermore provides mechanism or such type otl pulleyswhereby they can be adjusted while the mechanism is in operation. Thetension-device tor the idler which keeps the belt taut is adjustablesiiniiltaneously with the controlling mechanism to avoid unnecessarytension on the belt in its different adjustments.

The invention is not to be understood as restricted to the details shownand described but may be varied by the skilled mechanic withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope oi the invention.

laving thus described the in'vention, what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters la tent, is:

l. In a pulley, the combination of a body comprising a hollow spindle, aseries of adjustable rim-sections, a series of adjusting screws for thesections, mechanism for conjointly operating the screws, and meansextending throiigh said spindle for operating said mechanism.

2. In a pulley, the combination of a body comprising a hollow spindle, aseries of adj uslable rim-sections, a series ot adjustingscrews it'orthe sections, mechanism for conjointly operating the screws and a chaineX- tending through said spindle l'or operating said n'ieclianisin.

In a pulley, the combination of a body comprising a hollow spindle forthe body, a series ot' adjustable rim-sections, a plurality otadjusting-screws tor the sections, gear-mechanism for coiijointlyoperating the screws to adjust the sections, comprising a toothed wheelmounted to revolve with the pulley, and means for operating the toothedwheel extending through said spindle.

et. In variable drive-mechanism, the combination of a pair of pulleys,each comprising a series of adjustable rim-sections, a belt connectingthe pulleys, adj ustable-screws for the rim-sections, and means forconjointly operating the screws ot both pulleys comprising a flexibleelement operatively connected to both of the pulleys.

5. In variable driVe-inechanism, the combination of a pair of pulleyseach compris` ing a plurality of adjustable rim-sections, adjusting-screws for the sections, a belt connecting the pulleys, andgear-ineclianisin connecting the screws of each pulley and revolublewith the pulley, and a chain for conjointly operating thegear-mechanism.

G. In variable drive-mechanism, the combination of a pair o'l pulleyseach comprising a series of adjustable rim-sectioiis and hollow spindlesfor the pulley, adjustingscrews for the riin-sections, a belt connectingthe pulleys, gear-mechanism for simultaneously operating the screws toadjust the sections, and means for conjointly operating thegear-mechanisms of both pulleys extended through said spindles andconnecting said mechanisms respectively.

7. In variable driif'e-incchanism, the combination of a pair of pulleyseach comprising adjustable rim-sections, mechanism for coiijointlyadjusting the sections ot' the pulleys, a belt connecting the pulleys, abelttightener, and means for differentially operating the tightener tocorrespond with the adjustment of the pulleys.

8. In variable drive-mechanism, the combination of a pail` of pulleyseach comprising adjustable rim-sections, mechanism for conjointlyadjusting the sections of the pulleys, a belt connecting tlie pulleys, abelt-tightener, a tension-device for the tiglitener, controlling-meansfor the adjlisting-mechanism, and means for adjusting the tension-device1when the pulleys are adjusted.

9. In Variable drive-mechanism, tlie com` binaticn of a pair 0In pulleyseach comprising,` adjustable rim-sections, mechanism for eenjointlyadjusting` the sections of the pulleys, a belt. connecting` the pulleys,a belttiglitener, a tension-device for said tightener, and a screw foradjusting said tension-device when tlie pulleys are adjusted.

10. In variable drive-mechanism, the coinbinati-On of a pail1 of pulleyseacli comprising adjustable `Tim-sections, mechanism for conjointlyadjusting the sections of the pull'eys, a belt connecting the pulleys, abelt tiglitener, a spring for holding the tiglitenei in engagement withth'e belt and mechanism for adjusting` the spring When the pulleys areadjusted.

ll. In Vaiiable drivemechanism, the combination of a pair of pulleyseach comprising a series of adjustable rim-sections, adjusting-screwsfor the sections, a belt cennccting` the pulleys, a tension-device forthe belt, and mechanism for conjointly adjusting the screws of bothpulleys to adjust the rim-sections.

STEPHEN B. GRAY.

Witnesses FRED GnRLAc-I, LESNE S. RUSSELL.

